Method for the conversion of energy and energy converter

ABSTRACT

Method and air conditioning system for the conversion of energy, particularly solar energy; the method featuring the steps of heating a first end (E 1 ) of a base body ( 2 ) made of a porous material by way of electromagnetic radiation that impacts on an element of absorption ( 3 ), which is thermally coupled to the base body ( 2 ) at a first end (E 1 ); supplying an evaporative fluid to the body base ( 2 ) at a second end (E 2 ) as opposed to the first end (E 1 ) so that the evaporative fluid penetrates inside the base body ( 2 ) and spreads inside the body base ( 2 ) by way of capillary action; and circulating a heat exchange fluid in contact with the base body ( 2 ) at the second end (E 2 ).

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The present invention relates to a method for the conversion of energyand a corresponding energy converter. In particular, this method iscapable of converting energy from light and/or thermal sources atequilibrium vapour pressure.

PRIOR ART

It is known to use solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity orthermal energy for the heating of fluids. These systems are bulky, heavyand of complex construction, also they have a reduced performance whenusing solar energy for cooling an environment, since it requires doublethe energy conversion from light radiation to electricity andsubsequently electricity into refrigeration. Also based on the knownsystems, solar energy if converted directly into thermal energy is usedonly for heating and not for cooling.

The U.S. Pat. No. 4,377,398A1 discloses a vapour pump using for itsfunctioning the thermal energy of a solar panel; the pump uses a solidmatrix of a micro-porous adsorbent constituting a barrier. However, thevapour pump disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,377,398A1 has a relativelylow energetic efficiency.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is to provide a method for theconversion of energy, particularly solar energy, alternative to themethods known.

The aim of the present invention is to provide, in addition, a powerconverter capable of overcoming the disadvantages described above and,in particular, capable of direct conversion capable of cooling a fluidheat exchanger without changing the absolute humidity and, consequently,able to cool an environment during a warm period (for example spring orsummer) and heat an environment during a cold period (for example autumnor winter).

In other words, the aim of the present invention is to provide aconverter of energy, in particular solar energy, which is energyefficient and able to generate refrigeration.

Accordingly the present invention provides a method of convertingenergy, an energy converter, and an air conditioning system as assertedin the attached claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described with reference to the attacheddrawings, which illustrate an example of implementation is notlimitative, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an energy converter in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the converter in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2 and illustrates a first variant of theconverter in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 2 and illustrates a second variant of theconverter in FIG. 1, and;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view with parts removed for clarity of an airconditioning system that includes at least one energy converteraccording to the present invention.

PREFERRED FORMS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE INVENTION

FIG. 1, with the number 1, indicates as a whole, an energy converterthat includes an air conditioning module M which comprises, in turn, abase body 2 and an absorbing element 3 of electromagnetic thermalradiation coupled to the base body 2. In particular, the absorbingelement 3 is able to absorb light radiation and, in particular,radiation from the sun. As shown in FIG. 1, the base body has asubstantially parallelepiped shape with a longitudinal axis 4. Accordingto a variant not shown, the base body 2 may have a different form, suchas a cylinder or prism.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, the converter 1 includes a coatingapplied to a side wall 5; in particular, the coating 5 has a U-shapedcross-section axis 4 and covers three sides of the base body 2. Thecoating 5 is capable of waterproofing at least in part the converter 1.

The base body 2 is made of a material with a porosity greater than 40%.Preferably, the base body 2 is made of a material with porosity between40% and 70%.

The base body 2 is made also of a material with permeability less than10-6 [m/sec]. Preferably, the base body 2 is made of a material withpermeability is between 10-7 and 10-8 [m/sec].

The base body 2 is made also of a material with index of capillaryascension greater than 0.5 [cm/min]. Preferably, the base body 2 is madeof a material with an index of capillary ascension between 0.5 and 3[cm/min] (in particular, during an initial phase of operation).

In other words, the base body 2 can be easily soaked by a fluid and thushelp the expansion and evaporation of the liquid inside it.

The base body 2 is made of materials with high affinity for water, witha porosity and capillary ascension as specified above; for example, aceramic material of a clay type including montmorillonite, illite,bentonite, kaolinite as well as silica, iron and calcium carbonate. Asshown in FIG. 1, the absorbing element 3 is integrated in the base 2without interruption at one end E1 so as to face a light radiation. Inother words, the absorbing element 3 is defined by an upper portion ofthe base body 2 which has a different colour from the rest of the basebody 2 itself. According to a variant, an absorbing element 3 isseparate and different from the base body 2, is placed in direct contactwith the base body 2, and is made of a material with a porositydifferent to the porosity of the base body 2. Preferably, the absorbingelement 3 is made of a black body or, in other words, of a bodypresenting a dark colour able to absorb the light radiation striking thetop of the base body 2 without significantly altering the properties ofthe material such as its porosity and capillarity. In other words, theabsorbing element 3 does not worsen the parameters of the speed ofcapillary rise of the base body 2.

As illustrated, the converter 1 includes a supply system 6 which feedsan evaporative liquid to the air conditioning module M at one end E2opposite the end E1, so that evaporative liquid penetrates and spreadsby capillarity inside the air conditioning module itself. The converter1 also includes a circulation system 7 for a heat exchange fluid incontact with the air conditioning module M at the end E2.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the base body 2 of the air conditioningmodule M comprises one or more channels 6 of supply allowing anevaporative liquid to pass through; in other words, the channels 6 ofthe air conditioning module M act as a supply system of the evaporativeliquid for each converter 1. According to variants not shown, the supplysystem 6 is capable of feeding the fluid to the air conditioning moduleM in an areal manner, linear or pointlike.

Also accordingly with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the base body 2 of theair conditioning module M comprises one or more exchange ducts 7 throughwhich flows the heat exchange fluid; in other words, the ducts 7 act asa circulation system for each converter 1. Preferably, the ducts 7 areinternally lined with a material impermeable to the liquid. In addition,the base body 2 includes a number of metal elements 8, each of whichpasses internally through a respective duct 7 and allows an increase inthe thermal conductivity of the converter between the base body 2 and aheat exchange fluid flowing through the exchange ducts 7.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the supply channels 6 and the exchangeducts 7 are parallel to the axis 4 and are spaced between each other; inother words, exchange between the two exchange ducts 7 adjacent to themis interposed a supply channel 6. The supply channels 6 have a circularcross section, whilst the exchange ducts 7 have a rectangular section.The cross section of each supply channel 6 is considerably smaller thanthe cross section of the exchange ducts 7. The cross sections of thechannels 6 and the ducts 7 are intended to allow (for example in afacility of 100 square metres) the passage of 1 cubic meter of water/dayand, respectively, 400 litres per second.

The coating 5 and the conduits 6 and 7 may be made of any material.

According to the variant shown in FIG. 3, the energy converter 101includes a pane of glass 9 which is integral with the body base 2 or 5,next to the absorption element 3, but separated from the absorptionelement 3. The converter 101 also includes an additional glass pane 11applied to the base body 2 and next to the glass pane 9. In particular,the glass pane 9 is interposed between the absorbing element 3 and theglass pane 11 so as to define laterally a circulation chamber 12 withbase body 2. In addition, the glass pane 9 defines laterally a chamber10 with the glass pane 11. As shown in FIG. 3, the circulation chamber12 has a rectangular section and is enclosed above by a glass pane 9,below the absorption element 3 and, laterally, by the coating 5. Thecirculation chamber 12 is capable of being traversed by a flow.

The chamber 10 is sealed and filled with a gas selected from a group ofgases including: NH3, C2H4, CH4 or Ar. In other words, the chamber 10 isfilled with a gas opaque to infrared. The glass pane 9 is lead glass or,alternatively, is covered with a film of lead glass. The glass pane 11is capable of supporting body weight and delimits the chamber 10.According to the variant illustrated in FIG. 4, the converter 201includes an additional glass pane 22 which is interposed between theglass pane 9 and the glass pane 11. The glass pane 22 delimits laterallytogether with the glass pane 9 and the coating 5, the chamber 10 sealedand filled with a gas opaque to infrared. In addition, the glass pane 22delimits laterally with the glass pane 11 and the coating 5 a chamber23. The chamber 23 is sealed and held under a small vacuum.Alternatively, the chamber 23 contains an insulating gas. As shown inFIG. 4, the glass pane 9 is spaced from the base body 2 so as to definelaterally with the base body 2 itself a circulation chamber 24, which isdesigned to be traversed by a flow of air, as will be better explainedlater.

According to a variant, not shown, the system of glass panes previouslydescribed and illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 can be placed on othersupports or external structures.

Preferably, each type of converter 1, 101 or 201 of the type describedabove can be produced in a modular format and can be coupled bothlongitudinally and laterally with one or more similar converters 1, 101or 201, so as to form a large energy exchange platform.

FIG. 5 under number 13 illustrates an air conditioning system 13covering a plurality of converters 1, a hydraulic supply circuit 14 ofan evaporative liquid as well as the supply systems, which are definedby channels 6 and a pneumatic circulatory circuit 15 of an exchangefluid through the circulatory systems, which are defined by the exchangeducts 7. Preferably, the hydraulic circuit 14 feeds demineralised waterto the supply system 6 and the pneumatic circuit 15 feeds the aircirculation system 7.

As shown in FIG. 5, the system 13 includes a plurality of converters 1lined up with each other along the axis 4 so as to form a column ofconverters 16; likewise, the system 13 includes a plurality ofconverters 1 aligned sideways, i.e. transversely to the axis 4, so as toform rows 17. In other words, the converters 1 of the system 13essentially form a matrix. In particular, with a pair of converters 1 aand 1 b adjacent to a column 16, i.e. two converters 1 a and 1 b inalignment along the axis 4, the supply channels 6 a of the converter arehydraulically connected with respective supply channels 6 b of theconverter 1 b; similarly, the exchange ducts 7 a of the converter 1 aare connected pneumatically to respective exchange ducts 7 b of theconverter 1 b.

In this way, the union of the supply channels 6 of the converters 1 of acolumn 16 forms a tube 18 for the flow of water. Similarly, the union ofthe exchange ducts 7 of the converters 1 of a column 16 forms a tube 19for the passage of air.

As shown in FIG. 5, the hydraulic circuit 14 includes a collector 20,from which branches off the tubes 18 and a discharge system comprising aplurality of vent valves 21 for the water arranged as an exit out ofeach tube 18.

As shown in FIG. 5, the pneumatic circuit 15 includes a collector 25 anda collector 26 disposed as input and, respectively, output with respectto the columns 16.

During a warm period (spring or summer), an installation 13 comprising aplurality of converters 1, 101 or 201 can be used for cooling anairflow. In this case, the hydraulic circuit 14 starts to feed thedemineralised water to the supply systems 6. The water flowing throughthe supply systems 6 is absorbed by the porous material of the base body2 and by way of capillary action expands within the base body 2 itself.

At the same time, the base body 2 of the air conditioning module M isheated by the external environment and, in particular, by the luminousradiation absorbed by the absorbing element 3. In addition, theabsorbing element 3 is able to absorb heat radiation from theenvironment. For example, the absorbing element 3 is able to absorbthermal radiation from hot environments such as server farms.

The heat absorbed by the upper portion of the base body 2 incorrespondence with the absorbing element 3 causes the evaporation ofwater absorbed by the base body 2 itself and then determines a coolingof the extremity E2 of the base body 2 at which point tare to be foundexchange ducts 7. In other words, the water soaks by way of capillaryaction the base body 2, evaporates by way of the heat that is absorbedby the upper portion of the base body 2 through the absorbing element 3and then determines a cooling of the lower portion, extremity E2, of thebase body 2 in correspondence with the exchange ducts 7.

At the same time a flow of air is moved through the exchange ducts 7, inorder to exchange the heat with the base body 2 (or rather with thelower portion of the base body 2). Basically, the air passing throughthe base body 2 is cooled. The metallic elements 8 included in theexchange ducts 7 encourage the exchange of heat between the base body 2and the air which passes through the exchange ducts 7.

During a cold period a system 13 comprising a plurality of converters 1,101 or 201 can be used to heat a flow of air. In particular, to ensurethis type of operation, the hydraulic system 14 of the system 13 isemptied so as to drain water from the base body 2. The radiationimpacting through the lead glass 9 on the absorbing element 3 heats thebase body 2. The gas in the chamber 10 and the lead glass prevent anyheat loss from the base body 2 to the outside. The flow of air that ispassed through the tubes 19 is heated during passage through the system13, in particular the converters 1 and, therefore, through circulationsystems 7.

It is noted that during operation in the warm period, the air throughthe tubes 19 acts in part as a heat carrier and in part with thefunction of evaporation and replacement of the humidified air from theevaporative process. Whilst during the cold period the air acts only asa heat carrier.

Where the system 13 includes a plurality of converters of the type 101or 201, it is noted that the circulatory chambers 12 or 24 of the twoconverters 101 or 201 are pneumatically interconnected in successionfollowing the forward direction of the air flow. During the summer, theair which flows through the circulatory chambers 12 or 24 is used toenhance the evaporation and replacement of humidified air from theevaporative process. During the winter, the air which flows through thecirculatory chambers 12 or 24 is used as heat carrier. From what hasbeen set out above it is noted that a converter 1, 101 or 201 of thetype described above installed outdoors (i.e. the absorbing element 3exposed to the sun) permits during a warm period (spring or summer) thecooling of a flow of air through the circulatory systems 7, due tocooling of the base body 2 itself due to the expansion of theevaporative liquid which fills in a capillary manner the porous body 2and the subsequent evaporation due to the heating of the porous body 2resulting from solar thermal effect. In this way, the energy from solarradiation is converted directly into negative thermal energy for coolinga flow of air passing through the circulatory systems 7.

If installed in a closed environment where there is a heat source (i.e.not exposed to sunlight), a converter 1, 101 or 201 of the typedescribed above allows a flow of cooling air through the circulatorysystems 7 thanks to the cooling of the base body 2 itself due to theexpansion of the evaporative liquid which fills in a capillary mannerthe porous body 2 and the subsequent evaporation due to the heating ofthe porous body 2 connected to the absorption of heat present within aclosed environment. In this way, a converter 1, 101 or 201 of the typedescribed above turns the heat absorbed within the environment intonegative thermal energy for cooling a flow of air passing through thecirculatory systems 7.

With reference to the above, a system 13 in addition to being usedoutdoors (mainly for the conversion of solar energy) can also be usedfor the air conditioning of closed areas (in which can be foundpredominantly thermal radiation) and extensive areas such as industrialplants, photovoltaic plants, server farms or warehouses. For example, aserver farm is a closed environment in which is found at least one heatsource; in such a case, the system 13 is able to absorb at least part ofthe thermal radiation in the environment so as to heat each porous body2.

In addition, the converter 1, 101 or 201 of the type described above andinstalled outdoors allows during a cold period (autumn or winter) theexploitation of the heat generated by light radiation to heat a flow ofair.

A converter 1, 101 or 201 of the type described above is a simple, fastand cheap implementation. In addition, the modular design of eachconverter 1, 101 or 201 allows a simple and quick assembly. Finally, thestructure of the system is relatively lightweight and can be installedon top of buildings.

1. Method for the conversion of energy, in particular solar energy; themethod comprising the steps of: heating a first end of a base body madeof a porous material by way of electromagnetic radiation that impacts anabsorbing element, which is thermally coupled to the base body at thefirst end; feeding an evaporative liquid to the base body at a secondend opposite the first end so that the evaporative liquid penetratesinside the base body and spreads inside the body base by capillaryaction, and circulating a heat exchange fluid; wherein: the absorbingelement is thermally coupled to the base body at a first end; and theheat exchange fluid is circulated in contact with the base body at thesecond end.
 2. Method according to claim 1, wherein: the evaporativeliquid is fed into the base body through at least one flow channel,which passes through the base body and presents a series of openingspassing through to the base body; and the heat exchange fluid iscirculated through at least one exchange duct which passes through thebase body and is sealed with regard to fluids with respect to the bodybase.
 3. Energy converter, in particular for solar energy, comprising:an air conditioning module comprising at least a part made of porousmaterial and able to absorb electromagnetic radiation at a first end; asupply system supplying an evaporative liquid to the air conditioningmodule at a second end so that the evaporative liquid at least partiallypenetrates and spreads by capillary action within the air conditioningmodule; and a circulatory system for a heat exchange fluid in contactwith the air conditioning module at the second end; wherein the airconditioning module comprises a base body made of a porous material, andan absorbing element of electromagnetic radiation which is thermallycoupled to a first end of the base body.
 4. Energy converter accordingto claim 3 and comprising a glass pane which faces absorbing element ofthe base body and defines together with said absorbing element a chamberfilled with a gas chosen from within a group of gases comprising NH3,C2H4, CH4 or Ar.
 5. Energy converter according to claim 3, wherein thebase body is made of a material presenting a porosity greater than 40%.6. Energy converter according to claim 5, wherein the base body is madeof a material presenting a porosity between 40% and 70%.
 7. Energyconverter according to claim 3, wherein: the base body comprises atleast one supply channel which passes through the base body at a secondend of the base body opposite to the first end and presents a series ofopenings through the base body; and the channel acts as a supply systemfor the energy converter.
 8. Energy converter according to claim 3,wherein: the base body comprises at least an exchange duct which passesthrough the base body at the second end of the base body and is sealedwith regard to fluids with respect to the base body; and said duct actsas a circulatory system for the energy converter.
 9. Air conditioningsystem comprising a pair of adjoining energy converters, each of whichis realized according to claim 3; wherein the supply system and thecirculatory system of the first energy converter are in fluidiccommunication with the supply system and circulatory system of thesecond energy converter; and wherein the air conditioning systemcomprises a hydraulic circuit for the supply of the heat exchange fluidto the supply systems and a pneumatic circuit for supplying the flow ofheat exchange to the circulatory systems.
 10. Use of an air conditioningsystem according to claim 9 for the cooling of an environment in whichis found at least one heat source, the air conditioning system beingable to absorb at least part of the thermal radiation generated by thatheat source.
 11. Method according to claim 1, wherein the first end ofthe base body is heated by sunlight.
 12. Energy converter according toclaim 3, wherein the absorbing element absorbs sunlight.
 13. Energyconverter according to claim 5, wherein the base body is made of ceramicmaterial.
 14. Use of the air conditioning system according to claim 10,wherein the at least one heat source comprises a server farm.